Improvement in windmills



. UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIOE.

CORNELIUS P. LONG AND CHARLES N. MCEVERS, OF MURRAYVILLE, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN WINDMILLS.

Specification forming part of VLetters Patent No. 137,012, dated March 18, 1873.

To all whom 'it may concern.

' Fig. 2 is a det-a-il view of the same.

Our invention has relation to horizontally-rotating wind-wheels; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the horizontal spindles and the ballasted sails journaled thereto, and of the governing devices, all as hereinafter described. The object of this invention is to produce a wind'- Wheel of great power, which will automatically yield to the force of high winds and gusts in such a manner as to preserve a nearp ly-uniform speed, and avoid the destruction of its parts.

In this invention a series of` sails are pivoted, by sockets attached to the sail -bars, to the spindle ends of the zontal wheel. Weight at its lower end, and is pivoted below the middle point of the sail.

Referring to the drawing, A' designates the wind-wheel frame, B the vertical shaft, and O the radial arms or spokes. D designates the sails, each of which is hung in an upright position upon an iron or wooden spindle. The distance from the spindle to the center of the fan depends upon the amount ofpower desired. The spindles being distant from the center of the sails or wings, unusual spurts or dashes of wind compel the latter to lie -down or'adjust themselves, and to thus govern the motion of the wheel.' The spindle is in two parts, d d', the former secured rigidly to the radial arm; and the other swiveled or loosely attached, so that it may turn. Both parts spokes of a hori; The sail-bar is ballasted by a are provided with corresponding stops a to preventthe ballasted sails from swinging back beyond a vertical position after bring bowed forward in eases ot' high winds.

Other similar stops may be provided to prevent the sails from moving beyond a horizontal position in case of storm.

E designates a bent ratchet or stop, hinged vto the stop b, and designed to hold the sail in a horizontal position in time of storm. This ratchet or check has an offset at its free end which, when the sail attains a horizontal position, comes in contact with the face of the stop a, and in this way preventsthe sail from being moved past such position. Each sail is attached to `a bar, F, on the end of its spindle, by means of hinges, so that when the wheel is properly acting the sails will be brought facing the propelling Wind on one side, and with their edges toward it on the other side of the wheel. To the lower ends of the bars F are secured the ballasts G. The action of each sail isa series of semieircular reacting self-adjusting movements. Aboutone-third ofthe sails are utilized by the wind, and drive the wheel; while, by the semicircular movement or half revolution, the other-sails are turned edgewiseto the wind on one side, and come back to position on the other.

In operation, the sails, under ordinary wind, remain upright, turning edgewise when coming up in the wind, and ilatwise when facing the wind. Under a high wind or gust the power of the ballasting weight is and the sail is bowed to a horizontal or angular-position. n

Some of the advantages of this wheel are as follows: It is simple, durable, and powerful.' It will Work in a current of water with equal or greater results than in wind; and its operation will not be obstructed by sleet.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a horizontally-rotating wind wheel the sails D, hinged 'to the bars or heads F,

holding the ballasts Gr, and journaled to the overcome,

spindles or arms of the wheel at points below hereunto subscribed our namesinthe presence the middle of said 'oars or heads, substantially of two witnesses.

/ as specied. l CORNELHIS P. LONG. 2. In combination with the hinged sails D CEAS. N. MCEVERS. and spindles d d', the ratchet or check E and Witnesses: stops a b, substantially as specified. J. H. METCALF,

In testimony that we claim the above We have J. C. SMITH. 

